Sounds of Native drummers and dancers, sights of vibrant, feathered headdresses and smells of Indian fry bread drew thousands to the West campus Saturday.
The campus hosted a traditional Native American powwow on Fletcher Lawn to honor and celebrate Native veterans.
West alumna Elizabeth Young, a member of the Veteran’s Day Powwow committee, said the purpose of the event was to celebrate the Native and non-native men and women who have served the country.
“This powwow is to honor our veterans who went out and fought and even died for what we have as freedom today,” Young said.
Dennis Eagleman, co-chair of the Native American Event Committee, helped initiate the first powwow at the West campus more than five years ago.
“The powwows are important because it helps to educate non-Indians about powwows and the Indian culture,” Eagleman said.
This year the powwow’s theme was “A Celebration of Native Veterans,” in honor of Veterans Day. Eagleman said there is a large population of Native veterans because many Indians enlist in the service after high school.
He said powwows originally began as a social event where tribe members could get together, dance and have a good time. Powwows maintain a similar purpose today; however, now non-Indians and different tribes are encouraged to participate in the event, Eagleman said.
He said the powwows are a good way for Indians to revisit their Native traditions and remember their culture so that it is not forgotten by the younger generations.
“Powwows help us connect to being Indians,” Eagleman said.
Highlights from the powwow included performances by traditional dancers from a variety of different Native American tribes.
Antonio Yazzie, a member of the Men’s Northern Traditional Dancers, said he was excited to perform for such a large crowd.
“Many dancers come out here to try and teach, but I just do it to dance,” Yazzie said. He said he believes people will learn best by watching the dancers and observing the traditions and customs exemplified by their tribal costumes. Yazzie is a member of the Navajo Nation.
In addition to dance performances, the powwow featured two music performances, booths selling beaded and turquoise jewelry, traditional clothing and fry bread and a ceremony for the American Indian veterans. At the ceremony the veterans were welcomed and acknowledged for their years of service to this country.
Indian organizers of the powwow invited students from the West campus’ Black Student Union to participate in the event in an effort to promote awareness of all cultures instead of just their own.
The club’s treasurer, Helanda Crespin, said events like the powwow help initiate cultural acceptance among the community.
“We want people to see that there is so much more to offer than the stereotypes,” Crespin said. “I think it’s a breaking down of barriers when another culture says, 'Come and see what we have to offer.'”
Jenae Ferguson, the club’s executive assistant, said in light of the recent election, Americans should be more accepting than ever of other cultures.
“The country is getting so mixed,” Ferguson said. “I don’t see how people can just stay in their own culture and not want to learn about others.”
Reach the reporter at lauren.gambino@asu.edu.
